Abstract
Temporal and spatial abiotic variation in seaweed farms should be anticipated to maximize production through alternative exploitation strategies. This study describes the basic assumptions and the most relevant data used to empirically develop a production model aimed at improving prediction and increasing production of Gracilaria farms in northern Chile. Continuous light and temperature recordings since 1986 have allowed us to relate abiotic variations with high production seasons of Gracilaria or with the presence of pests and epiphytes. Much of the interannual variations in light and temperature appear as part of a predictable pattern of change between ENSO (El Niño/Southern Oscillation) and inter-ENSO years. Production has been found to be a function of stock density and harvesting frequency, two parameters that can be effectively manipulated in the field. Thus, the range of climatic change now can be anticipated to some extent which, in turn, suggests the best farming strategy. During seasons or growth periods anticipated to be highly productive, farming activities are oriented to maintain high percentage removal of the stock through frequent harvesting. During seasons anticipated to be low in production, activities are oriented to prevent biomass losses due to the blooms of epiphytes and pests and to secure stocks to renew through planting the damaged parts of the beds after the blooms.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Doty, M. S., 1986. The production and use of Eucheuma. In Doty M. S., J. F. Caddy & B. Santelices (eds), Case studies of seven commercial seaweed resources. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 281, pp. 123–164.
Oohusa, T., 1983. Technical aspects of nori (Porphyra) cultivation and quality preservation of nori products in Japan today. Hydrobiologia 116/117: 95–101.
Pizarro, A. & H. Barrales, 1986. Field assessment of two methods for planting the agar-containing seaweed, Gracilaria, in northern Chile. Aquaculture 59: 31–43.
Santelices, B. & M. S. Doty, 1989. A review of Gracilaria farming. Aquaculture 78: 95–133.
SERNAP, 1990. Anuario Estadístico de Pesca. Servicio Nacional de Pesca. Ministerio de Economía, Fomento y Reconstrucción,Chile, 191 pp.
Tseng, C. K., 1986. Laminaria mariculture in China In Doty, M. S., J. F. Caddy & B. Santelices (eds), Case studies of seven commercial seaweed resources. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 281, pp. 239–264.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Pizarro, A., Santelices, B. (1993). Environmental variation and large-scale Gracilaria production. In: Chapman, A.R.O., Brown, M.T., Lahaye, M. (eds) Fourteenth International Seaweed Symposium. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 85. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1998-6_45
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1998-6_45
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4882-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1998-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive